About the Challenge - SAVMA One Health Challenge

As the One Health Initiative Task Force began its work in 2007, the students of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) wanted to get involved. What better time to start building partnerships between the health professions than at the student level? It was this concept that launched the first One Health Challenge in 2007!

Each year, students at the Colleges and Schools of Veterinary Medicine across the United States, as well as in Canada and the Caribbean, work together to tackle a major One Health topic. The four objectives of their efforts are to:

Build collaborative partnerships with colleagues in the medical schools, nursing schools, veterinary technology programs, schools of public health, and other students preparing to enter any of the other health sciences.

Create opportunities for all students involved to become educated on the theme of that year's challenge.

Work together with all parties to educate the public on the issues surrounding that year's topic through public outreach events, publications, etc.

Raise funds to support research or charitable efforts related to One Health and/or the topic of that year's challenge.

It is SAVMA's hope that the One Health Challenge will continue to grow each year while providing new and exciting opportunities to partner with our colleagues both locally and nationally on these exciting events!

Events hosted by local chapters have ranged from 5K runs and dog walks to health fairs and bowling tournaments. The sky is the limit, and there seems to be no limit to the creativity of the event organizers!